Question

A heating coil is dipped in a bucket filled with water. Explain the significant mechanisms in heat flow.

• A. Heat from coil is transferred by conduction to both water and bucket.
• B. Heat from coil is transferred by convection to both water and bucket.
• C. Heat from coil is transferred by conduction to water. In water, heat flow occurs by convection and bucket gains heat from water by conduction.
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Heat from coil is transferred by conduction to water. In water, heat flow occurs by convection and bucket gains heat from water by conduction.

Conduction is the primary phenomenon involved in the transfer of heat in solids whereas convection is the primary phenomenon involved in the heat transfer in fluids. During conduction, heat transfer occurs at the point of contact and in convection, heat transfer occurs across the volume by motion of fluid molecules.

Hence, heat transferred from coil to water is by conduction, from water to water is by convection and from water to bucket is by conduction.